Chronicle 20.3

Volume 20 Issue 3 | William Mason High School | 6100 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH | 11.18.22

“State Champions”

See page 16-19

An aerial view of Shadow Lake Mobile Home Village, the neighborhood Emerik Moser lives in.

Photos by Reshma Khatib and Andrew Little

2 November 18, 2022

Photo by Lisa Worthy of AWORTHYPHOTO

Junior Annalie Duncomb (left) and Annelise Hahl (right) row as they compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals.

Duncomb competes overseas in World Rowing final

Aimee Liu | The Chronicle the world championships. the sheer grit that the sport requires,” case scenarios is something she is work-
A Mason High School (MHS) junior “The experiences I’ve had with Team Duncomb said. “It’s the most intense ing on and has helped her compete.
sport I’ve ever done, but also the most
rowed her way to a bronze medal in the USA are some of the best in my life,” beautiful.” Duncomb said she has faced many
United Kingdom. Duncomb said. “It’s so exciting to pressures to succeed, whether from her
have the opportunity to represent my Duncomb practices up to six times parents, coach, or herself. She said that
MHS junior Annalie Duncomb com- country and get to wear a Team USA a week and hopes to pursue rowing she is grateful for the pressure because
peted in the World Rowing Beach Sprint uniform with my last name on it.” in college. She has dreams of one day it has pushed her to be better, but it has
Finals in Saundersfoot, Great Britain, a competing in the Olympics which also occasionally had harmful effects
small village in Pembrokeshire, Wales. When her partner crossed the finish means dedicating herself to a training on her mindset.
In the event that ran from October 14 to line in Saundersfoot, Duncomb said that regiment that requires intense train-
October 16, 2022, Duncomb teamed up it was one of the happiest moments of ing and balancing rowing with other “I’m so afraid of letting other people
with her partner from North Carolina, her life, as she had not expected to go aspects of her life. and myself down, but I try to remember
Annelise Hahl, in the Junior Women’s so far at such a high-level competition. that I row because it makes me happy,”
Double Sculls against international She said that receiving her first world “It’s really difficult to balance be- Duncomb said. “I’ve noticed that as
teams from Spain, Germany, Great Brit- championship medal was an incredibly cause with rowing there’s no time for I improve my mindset and mental
ain, France, Japan, and Canada. rewarding moment. anything else,” Duncomb said. “For now health, my results have gotten a lot
I’m just hoping to continue pursuing it better.”
A double scull in competitive rowing “We had never expected to come that because I genuinely love the sport.”
is designed for two persons who propel far when we were on the plane,” Dun- Although the sport of rowing has
the boat with oars, one in each hand. comb said. “We just wanted to give it According to Duncomb, the physical required her to stretch her capabilities
Duncomb and Hahl advanced in the our best shot, but to have a medal that demands are actually more simple to – both physically and mentally – Dun-
competition by winning in their time we earned for the United States from a manage than the mental ones. She said comb said it has also ultimately helped
trials and then moved through the world event is so exciting.” that “it’s easy to feel exhausted, but the her gain confidence and become a more
quarterfinals and semifinals on their second I take that first step, no matter determined person.
way to a bronze medal for Team USA. Duncomb, who began rowing in the how sore my muscles are or how blis-
eighth grade, said she normally com- tered my hands get, it all disappears.” “Rowing has definitely given me a
Duncomb said that although the petes in flatwater rowing but her coach new perspective as to what perseverance
competition was “definitely very cha- encouraged her to consider coastal To combat the emotional demands of really means,” Duncomb said. “I un-
otic,” and that the waves were rough rowing on ocean water. Duncomb said rowing, Duncomb said she has explored derstand the meaning of grit and hard
that day, the overall atmosphere was that agility is important for coastal row- methods that help her to get out of her work, and I’ve been able to improve my
still “so awesome.” ing, which is a “rougher, more chaotic” own head. She said she tries to ener- mental health in ways that I wouldn’t
sport. gize and affirm herself by listening to have expected. It’s pushed my limits but
“It’s so high energy and there’s noth- positive music, dancing, and counting also changed my perception of what I’m
ing like it,” Duncomb said. “It’s just so In coastal rowing, there are long- strokes to keep her mind from wander- capable of.”
exciting to watch all the races and be distance events and beach sprints, ing.
there for your team and scream as loud where rowers must sprint to their boats Scan this QR code to see
as Team USA screams.” just offshore, navigate a buoy course in “The thing about the race that makes Annalie in action!
open water, and return to finish on the or breaks you is your mindset and how
Duncomb began the process of try- beach. you approach the obstacles,” Duncomb
ing out for Team USA in August 2022, said. “Because rowing is a repetitive mo-
where she competed at the trials for Duncomb said that after trying tion, it’s very much a mental sport. The
coastal rowing in Lido Beach, Florida. coastal rowing initially for fun, she has way that you think about your race is a
She said that trials were open to anyone since found the sport to be very enjoy- big factor in how your results will be.”
in the US and that the winners among able and likes competing in the waves
the American athletes would be select- of the ocean. Duncomb said that “having a more
ed to represent their respective event at positive attitude toward races” and
“I love the juxtaposition between trying not to overthink potential worst-
the serenity of your surroundings and

November 18, 2022 3

High heat unhealthy for the hair

Divy Bose | The Chronicle Senior Sydney Kraus said her Kraus is glad she made the deci- “All I wanted to do was chop it off,”
natural hair could never cooperate sion to give up on straightening Kraus said. “It took two years for it to
Tame the curls, don’t get rid of so she was determined to straighten her hair. At one point she wanted to get healthy again since it was at an
them. her hair. give up on hair, but now she’s happy all time low, but I couldn’t be hap-
knowing her hair is healthier. pier with my hair now.”
Mason High School (MHS) ju- “My hair was always in a poofy
nior Finley Bierma is a student who mess,” Kraus said. “I always had Illustration by Allison Droege
learned that lesson the hard way. marks from putting it in a ponytail,
Bierma wanted to straighten her hair. so I had to turn to straightening
She would spend nearly two hours which was not any better.”
a night trying to straighten out her
curls with a flat heat iron. Kraus eventually decided to make
a decision that was healthier for her
Bierma was self conscious about hair. She gave up straightening even
her curls. She wanted her hair to look though there were times when she
more like her friends’ hair. just wanted to completely give up on
her hair.
“You would think having different
hair than all your friends isn’t a big “All I wanted to do was chop it
deal, ” Bierma said. “But it is to me, off,” Kraus said. “It took two
even when all of my friends would years for it to get healthy
tell me to keep my curls, I couldn’t again since it was at
bring myself to.” an all time low, but I
couldn’t be happier
After trying to straighten her hair with my hair now.”
since the fifth grade, Bierma got bad
news when she went to see a hair styl- Some girls will
ist to get a haircut. use heat protectant in
hopes of saving their
“I would go in to get what I hair. According to Simp-
thought would just be a trim, but son, even these products
each time they ended up cutting have their drawbacks.
three or more inches off,” Bierma
said. “She always told me that “Heat protectant is only
my hair was literally dying, but I beneficial when heat is ap-
didn’t listen since the temptation plied to hair occasionally,”
to straighten it and look like every Simpson said.
other girl took over.”
After wrestling with the
Using a heat iron to straighten decision to straighten or stick
curls breaks down the proteins that with curls, Bierma decided to
contribute to healthy and shiny hair. abandon the heat iron.
Eventually the hair dries out and
becomes brittle. Repairing damaged “I decided to go back to my
hair follicles can take anywhere from natural curly hair after all of
a month to a year. these years because I saw on
Tiktok all these pretty girls with
Ulta Beauty stylist Shelbi Simpson thick beautiful curls,” Bierma said.
who is studying to become a licensed “After seeing that, I asked my sister
hair professional has seen hair that to help me rejuvenate my hair so I
is unhealthy and destroyed due to can have my healthy hair back.”
excessive straightening.
Not only did this decision help
“I remember a woman coming in save her hair, it helped her save time
with hair literally falling out of her as well. When she straightened her
scalp,” Simpson said. “I applied every hair it would take two hours, now
treatment I could until the only instead of using the iron she puts in
solution was to completely shave her oils and treatment that only takes 15
head off and start all over.” minutes and now she’s wearing her
hair naturally for the first time in
Simpson believes it’s wiser to tame five years.
the curls rather than get rid of them.
“I was so nervous coming into
“Having to choose healthy hair school because I looked like a whole
over convenience is what a lot of new person in my eyes,” Bierma said.
girls struggle with,” Simpson said. “But my friends all freaked out how
“Hair is just like another vital organ good it looked and it built so much
in your body that needs nourishment confidence in me to be able to put
and care, which is what people choose the straightener down.”
to ignore.”

4 November 18, 2022

MHS Administration incorporates SmartPass into school routines

H Tanya Keskar | Managing Editor looking for ways to be safer and have why they’re doing SmartPass. I heard it’s
better accountability for what’s going on for people who go out and then come
Scan here to watch the Alisha Soni | The Chronicle during the day. We put the responsibility back 30 minutes later and nobody knows
interview with Mr. Distel on the students, [and they] realized we where they went, [but] that’s not me.”
SmartPass: an additional layer of secu- weren’t tracking them all day every day.”
about SmartPass! rity or a major inconvenience? While SmartPass has become inte-
Graphic by Alisha Verma Milford High School, located in grated into Vernon’s routines, students
As national school security becomes Clermont county with an estimated two in non-traditional classrooms are having
an increasing priority for school officials, thousand students, introduced e-Hall a tougher time. Bhuvan Meruga, MHS
Mason High School (MHS) is making pass three years ago. Kristine Kauffman, senior and Comet Zone employee,
significant structural changes to protect Milford’s Assistant Principal for 12th said that he understands the rationale
its students. Implemented on November grade, said that all passes require teacher behind SmartPass, but believes it will be
2, 2022, SmartPass is a digital hall pass approval. very inconvenient when implemented.
system that requires students to create a For SmartPass to work with the spaces
pass and receive teacher approval if they “It has proven to be a really effective that Comet Zone students often visit,
need to leave the classroom. However, way to track students as they move about Distel helped create special passes for
students can self-approve passes to go to the building,” Kauffman said. “It’s a time- specific locations that the students can
the restroom or drink water. saver.” self-approve. However, with Comet Zone
students constantly hanging up posters,
MHS Assistant Principal Dan Distel Unlike MHS and Fenwick, Milford painting in hallways and meeting with
said that SmartPass may help reduce implemented e-Hall pass to increase stu- teachers, Meruga said that SmartPass
discipline issues, but the primary goal dent accountability. Kauffman said that creates additional issues.
of SmartPass is to ensure that students Milford needed e-Hall pass to decrease a
are accounted for during an emergency high volume of disciplinary issues, such “Even though [SmartPass] is meant to
situation. as students skipping class or creating streamline the processes in the class-
fake hall passes. room, I feel like it does the opposite,”
“In a moment, I can know there are Meruga said. “In a place as busy as the
20 kids out in the building that might “I think in a true emergency situation, Comet Zone, just asking [Dr. Scalfaro] for
not be with a teacher,” Distel said. “The fear and adrenaline will kick in and all approval on all of those makes it really,
district is putting together systems to of that planning and organization would really difficult to get work done.”
be able to communicate with families go out the window,” Kauffman said.
[about] where their child is located. “[However], let’s say a classroom had an Health and Physical Education teacher
The SmartPass system allows us to very emergency, and we weren’t sure which Bill Lapthorn said that he believes that
quickly access that information.” kids were in there, we would be able to SmartPass might inadvertently promote
use the hall pass to connect those kinds excessive phone usage. Lapthorn said
While campus supervisor Taylor of dots.” he is already concerned about the rising
Hitzfield is monitoring hallways, he integration of phones in schools, as he
said that SmartPass will help him verify While MHS administrators focus understands the distraction that phones
students’ locations throughout the day, on using SmartPass to prepare for an can create in a learning environment.
encouraging accountability. emergency, MHS teachers and students
evaluate its day-to-day effectiveness. “As an adult person who’s teaching
“Ultimately, it’s for the best,” Hitzfield Mathematics teacher Nikki Harting said 30 kids, part of me wants to look at [my
said. “The growing pains are real, but if that while she acknowledges the adjust- phone],” Lapthorn said. “As a student
[students] actually embraced it, then it ment SmartPass requires, she believes who’s sitting there, listening, [and] that
would be a win-win for both teachers and the benefits outweigh the slight incon- phone buzzes in your pocket, it’s kind of
students.” veniences. Harting said that she uses hard not to take a look and see what’s
the SmartPass kiosk mode so students going on.”
Other schools in Ohio have had a can sign themselves out on her spare
similar system in place. Bishop Fenwick Chromebook without interrupting class SmartPass can be accessed on a
High School (Fenwick) has been using or using their phones. Chromebook, but the instructional video
a digital hall monitoring pass called that introduced the program to students
e-Hall pass since the fall of 2021, initially “I don’t like [students] having their encouraged them to use their phones for
for COVID-19 contact tracing, but it has phones available to them at all times convenience. Hitzfield said that he does
stayed at the school well into the 2022-23 during class,” Harting said. “I think the not think SmartPass pressures students
school year. With approximately 470 stu- kiosk mode will definitely eliminate to obtain phones for SmartPass if they
dents, Fenwick Assistant Principal Jason having to worry about phones at all. don’t previously have one, as SmartPass
Umberg said that he knows most of the The idea of [students] having to get a is accessible on school-issued Chrome-
students by name and does not have to Chromebook out isn’t typical in my books that are already integrated into
continuously check passes. classroom setting.” the MHS atmosphere.

“We don’t have a hall monitor,” Um- As a student of Harting’s AP Calculus “If [students] had to use their Chrome-
berg said. “We don’t have a lot of traffic AB class, senior Cole Vernon has said book [for SmartPass], it might be just
in the hallways to begin with. We have a that he recognizes how much quicker it a little bit more inconvenient [than a
different atmosphere [than MHS].” was to visit the restroom or get a drink phone], but I don’t think it’s impossible,”
by simply asking a teacher for permis- Hitzfield said.
At Fenwick, all teachers were given sion, but ultimately does not find it very
a second computer to use for monitor- troublesome to create a SmartPass. As the national conversation around
ing hall passes, and students can create school security develops, school districts
passes for drinking water or going to the Using SmartPass, teachers are able to are trying to take preventative action.
restroom on a school-provided computer. identify patterns regarding a student’s Lapthorn said that he anticipates Smart-
Students are given three passes a day number of passes or length of time out Pass continuing to evolve throughout
by default, a number that was adjusted of the classroom, allowing them to take the future.
as more data was collected from e-Hall action if necessary. Vernon said that he
pass. Like Distel, Umberg said that the does not have any concerns with Smart- “I think we’re trying to be ahead of
passes are there as a way to track stu- Pass being able to identify his patterns. the curve with a solution instead of just
dents in the event of an emergency and identifying the problem,” Lapthorn said.
provide a second layer of accountability. “I don’t care whether they know where “Maybe this is version 1.0. But by the
I am or not, since I’m not skipping class time we get to 3.0, we’ll have it down.”
“[E-hall pass] is just part of [our] or anything,” Vernon said. “I understand
system,” Umberg said. “We’re always

November 18, 2022 5

MHS staff follow different career paths to end up as educators

Laurel Wang | The Chronicle she has consistently made make this dry content engaging, running L9, Dudgeon also began
professional choices that broaden maybe this was what I was supposed to substitute teach before pursuing
her impact. to be doing.” his teaching license through classes
Mason High School (MHS) staff “Thinking about all the people Broaddrick revisited his original at Wright State University. After
have taken many stops along their completing additional education
journeys to the classroom. that I’ve interacted with – the plan to become a high school courses, he also completed his
students in my classroom, all the teacher, earning his teaching Master’s in Education and received
Associate Principal of Teaching students I interact with in the accreditation within months. By the his normal teaching license.
and Learning, Robyn Jordan, is a hallways, students that are on teams next fall, he was certified to begin
prime example. Jordan currently that I help support and all the teaching as a long-term substitute Despite deviating from his
spends her workdays supporting teachers that I’ve helped – brings at Mason, which ultimately initial plan to serve in the military
staff and students, but she found her me joy,” Jordan said. “The work is became a permanent teaching for twenty years before entering
start as an amphibian and reptile not always easy, but knowing that position. Throughout all his years education, Dudgeon said his time
researcher with the National Park even if there’s just one person that in education, Broaddrick said that spent working in the field of
Service. day that I’ve impacted in a positive
Jordan initially wanted to pursue way, I’ve still made a difference and
lived out my purpose.”
medical school, but after realizing
that was not her passion, she shifted Jordan is not the only MHS staff
her focus to opportunities with her member to find an unconventional
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology. route to teaching. Social studies
As an undergraduate, she connected teacher Dan Broaddrick had always
with a herpetology professor had his sights set on education after
researching amphibians and discovering a passion for history
reptiles. She went on to graduate in high school. While pursuing
school and worked as a researcher his Bachelor Degree in Secondary
in his lab, where she conducted field Education (BSED) at Bowling Green
research in the National Parks. State University, Broaddrick became

involved in ministry work with facilitating his students’ growth has technology before returning to
been the most rewarding aspect of the classroom provided him with
teaching. the experience needed to guide his
“I think I might have been a students in their careers.
decent teacher had I just gone right “I’ve worked in various roles in
into teaching, but I don’t know that technology at various companies,
I would be as caring of a teacher as so I can give [students] advice
I am now,” Broaddrick said. “You’re on how things work outside of
in the life-changing business of the educational part,” Dudgeon
helping young people as they go out said. “You can [teach] things that
to change the world.” happened in theory, but my advice
MHS computer science teacher to them is real-world because I’ve
Gideon Dudgeon also traveled a actually done it and worked in that
unique career path to get to where environment.”
high school students. Broaddrick he is today. Dudgeon joined the Ultimately, Dudgeon believes
“I had to decide what exactly I was said he was approached to join the Army three months after graduating the nonlinearity of his professional
going to do because I didn’t want church due to his influence in the high school, where he developed an path provided him with valuable
to have to undo every class that I’d community. interest in technology. While with opportunities for development.
taken,” Jordan said. “In [graduate the military, he was stationed in Whether it is working in an
school], I joined a lab and was doing “I spoke at one [church retreat], South Korea and various parts of abandoned mineshaft, for the
research on salamanders in an and as I watched the room and the the United States. After five years ministry, or in the military, Jordan
abandoned mineshaft.” audience, I saw something that was in the military, he took a job with shared a common perspective:
just supernatural,” Broaddrick said. defense contractor Raytheon in every job she had was a learning
When she was not researching, “That’s when I made it official and Virginia and earned his Bachelor’s experience.
Jordan discovered a passion for went to my academic advisor and
education as a teaching assistant. said, ‘I’m not going to be a teacher.
After earning her Masters in I’m going to go a different route, so
Biology, Jordan completed what are my options?’”
additional courses to receive her Broaddrick completed his degree
teaching license. She taught math
and science for the next nine years, in secondary education, but did not
and began taking on leadership get certified to become a teacher
roles. After completing her Master’s right away. Instead, after graduating,
he spent time working at a freight
Degree in Educational Leadership, company and as a pizza delivery Degree in Computer Information “Because of all the experiences
she transitioned to administration. driver before becoming a youth Systems while working full-time. I’ve had, I am able to shift
pastor at the United Methodist He eventually moved back to Ohio perspective better and gain empathy
“Even though I did teach biology Church in Urbana, Ohio. After and worked as an information for the things other people go
at the high school level, I feel like several years as a pastor and church technology (IT) director for Great through [more],” Jordan said. “We’re
I had this completely previous life planner, Broaddrick ultimately American Insurance in Cincinnati.
working for the Park Service and left the ministry after the church
catching amphibians and reptiles,” he worked at closed. He took a job After nine years in his role in all gonna make mistakes, and I still
Jordan said. teaching driver’s education at night, technology, Dudgeon shifted to don’t have it all figured out, but
where he rediscovered his passion business, running a franchise of these experiences have helped me
Although Jordan’s resume spans for education. Level Nine (L9) sports – a store broaden my perspective [to see that]
several fields, her decisions have that sells sports equipment. While nobody’s perfect.”
been guided by a common purpose. “It reconnected me with the age
While teaching, Jordan identified group that I felt like I worked best
her purpose to be positively with”, Broaddrick said. “If I could
impacting others, and over the
course of her 20 years in education,

6 November 18, 2022

Final exams are back at MHS after a two year hiatus

Shrija Shandilya | The Chronicle “Summative assessments should Photo by Shrija Shandilya
be given in order to show mastery of
It’s final, Mason High School will what students know and what they MHS students look over the new finals schedule.
have finals. don’t know,” Dodd said. “We can pro-
vide feedback and hopefully get to a may take a different career path. challenging to take hands-on classes
For the 2022-23 school year, MHS point where we can review [material] “Everything can’t just be prepara- such as chemistry remotely. This
students will have midterm and final so that they know better down the made it more difficult to take AP
exams. For the past two years, finals road.” tion for college,” Janecko said. “Col- Chemistry the following year.
were removed as students missed a lege is changing. I was in college a
lot of material or in-person instruc- Due to the flexibility provided, few years ago and my classes never “It creates a butterfly effect,” he
tion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. some teachers have opted to have had a cumulative assessment, even said. “You have gaps in content for
Students have had to make many final exams in a unique format. my college level chemistry courses.” one subject that can come back to
adjustments, and in the midst of the Kinross recently canceled final haunt you in other subjects.”
pandemic, MHS principal Bobby exams; instead, her classes will be do- Student learning skills have been
Dodd said that he and the staff de- ing a final project. She said this will heavily impacted due to changes Neuberger said that though it
cided it was best to cancel the 2020 better fit the format of her class. from COVID-19. Sophomore Preston is beneficial for upperclassmen to
final exams. Estoesta said that students had to ad- have finals, incorporating too much
“We’re right in the middle of a just to online learning, but he didn’t college preparation in high school
“In the past, I just didn’t think it couple of writing units, and it doesn’t think it was effective for many. is detrimental, and final exams can
was fair to give students cumulative make a whole lot of sense to do a contribute to this stress.
exams over material that they may test,” said Kinross. “There’s a lot of people that can’t
not even have seen or covered,” Dodd learn off the computer,” Estoesta said. “Right now, it has gotten to the
said. “Once the new year started, we Kinross said that in an ideal world, “I lose focus when I’m supposed to be point where if you don’t do enough
had our staff vote on their thoughts students at MHS will have a mix of working.” college prep stuff, it seems like a
about the importance of exams.” exams and classes where they do fun negative thing,” Neuberger says. “I
activities before winter break, in or- Estoesta said that along with the think if it’s all testing, that’s harm-
English teacher Olivia Kinross said der to not strain them too much. She stress of studying, final exams also ful to mental health and causes a lot
that there are teachers in both camps said that much of this stress can be create stress about students’ final of unnecessary stress right before
– some feel that finals cause too attributed to the changes in learning grades and GPAs. He said they have break.”
much stress and do not represent stu- in the aftermath of COVID-19. the potential to drop students’ grades
dent learning, while others feel that at the last minute and put students in Dodd said that he is not certain
finals help in indicating knowledge “I think kids today, compared to a situation where they cannot recover about how finals will impact students.
and preparing students for college. even just five years ago, have a lot from a bad grade. He said he plans to gauge the impact
more stress in their lives,” Kinross finals will have on students’ mental
Dodd said that student input was said. “It can be stressful,” Estoesta said. health this year and will adjust to
not taken for the decision. “People will be worrying about mak- make a decision that is best for the
MHS science teacher Erin Janecko ing sure that final exam grade is students.
“We don’t get student input on said that COVID-19 has resulted in perfect and won’t bring your grade
regular assessments during the year,” some positive changes to educa- down.” “We’ll monitor it and see if it’s
Dodd said. “You don’t get input on tion by bringing more personalized not the best thing for kids down the
whether you should have a chemistry learning to MHS. She said that there Senior Keith Neuberger learned road,” Dodd said. “We’ll look to make
assessment or not.” should be less of a push to return to remotely for the first half of his a change if we have to.”
what school was like prior to CO- sophomore year. He said that it was
Over the past three years, the COV- VID-19.
ID-19 pandemic has had negative im-
pacts on students, both academically “I don’t think finals are the great-
and socially. Dodd said that recently, est representation of what students
he has seen improvement from past learn in a semester and they’re
years in student mental health. pretty high stakes and high stress,”
Janecko said, “We shouldn’t just go
“I think things are better than they back to the way things were before. I
previously were,” Dodd said. “I’d say think it’s brought some good changes
you see less of the effects of the CO- to education.”
VID-19 pandemic.”
Janecko said that final exams do
In addition to providing teachers not always accurately resemble what
with flexibility, Dodd said that finals students will encounter after high
will allow teachers to gauge how well school, as some students may choose
students are understanding certain to go to a 4-year college, while others
topics and improve learning plans.

November 18, 2022 7

Students feeling impact of shortages

Megan Lee | The Chronicle gets exhausting.” Photo by Khusbu Patel
Although MHS students are bur- Students without teachers sit in the MHS Large Commons under administrative supervision.
Staff and students, please pardon
the interruption. dened by the inconsistencies in their being a day behind the students in process easier. To alleviate the stress
daily transportation, staff members of substitute teacher shortages, the
This inevitable announcement has are working to get these issues other bells. Ohio state legislature passed a tem-
defined the end of every seventh resolved. Transportation Security Ad- “We just wrote on the board that we porary policy that allowed anyone 18
period this school year for Mason ministration (TSA) Supervisor Mark and older with a high school diploma
High School (MHS) bus riders. Buses Murzynowski said he works to ar- didn’t have a sub,” Golden said. “We to work to pursue a Substitute Teach-
that have no drivers are announced range bus schedules and office roles didn’t really know what to do so we ing License. However, schools have
by their numbers, and the students in order to get students home. treated it as a study hall.” still had difficulty finding substitute
who ride them must wait at the office teachers.
until transportation can be arranged. “We start every single day 11 [bus- Even though administrative staff
es] short,” Murzynowski said. “So we members have had a hard time fill- One substitute teacher, former
This instability and lack of reliable utilize all of the subs that we have, ing the need for substitute teachers, MHS chemistry teacher Barbara
transportation create time-consum- as well as any of our office people or behind them is a group of applicants Shuba, decided two years ago that she
ing issues for students and parents mechanics that can drive.” hoping to be added to the MHS staff. wanted to return to teach as a substi-
who rely on buses. Instead of consis- Chief Talent Officer (CTO), Tonya tute teacher after her retirement.
tently walking to their assigned bus Although the TSA had to explore McCall said that in the past couple of
number at the end of each school unconventional options to acquire months she has seen an increase in “Not having enough subs was
day, many bus riders’ schedules are bus drivers, they are constantly applications. becoming a problem even prior to
now uncertain due to a severe short- searching for a more permanent Covid-19,” Shuba said. “I’d say it [was
age of bus drivers in the Mason City option. Murzynowski said he inter- “[Each] department ultimately bad] last year, and it seems like it’s
Schools District. Sophomore Ayesha viewed 31 potential bus drivers; four decides who they want on staff,” Mc- already worse this year.”
Ahmad rode bus 104 and said she had are currently in training and another Call said. “However, all hiring must
not had a permanent bus driver since nine are waiting on their licensing come through the Human Resources MHS currently utilizes an app
August. and paperwork. Department first.” called Frontline, where teachers can
mark days they will be absent and
“[Our bus driver] told us she wasn’t “Fortunately, we have not can- Since each application has to go substitutes can sign up to take their
coming back until October, so ever celed a single route yet this year,” through McCall’s department first, slots based on their availability. Shu-
since, we’ve had different subs,” Ah- Murynowski says. “Other districts are she said that the processing time for ba said that even before she stopped
mad said. “It’s October, and she still canceling routes and forcing parents each individual application is long. teaching, she noticed she was having
isn’t here.” to take children to and from school, However, Mason is not the only dis- problems finding people to cover her
[but] we have not done that.” trict that is facing staff shortages. classes. Since 2020, when she became
Every seventh bell, Ahmad waits a substitute teacher, Shuba said the
for the dreaded announcement that The shortage of bus drivers is not “It is definitely a regional issue,” demand for subs has continued to
will tell her to go wait at the front of the only problem facing MHS stu- McCall said. “[We] have regular con- grow.
the building since there is no bus to dents. Junior Brooklynn Golden said tact with Southwest Ohio HR direc-
take her home. With varying drivers that on the day of her latest chemis- tors and that is one thing that we talk “You can either be assigned if
every day, Bus 104 takes a new route try test, there was no teacher in the about a lot.” somebody reaches out to you or you
every morning and afternoon. Ah- room when she walked in. can select a job listed,” Shuba said. “If
mad said this makes it challenging to Even though there are enough you are already assigned to a job, no
coordinate her schedule both before “All her other classes had a sub applicants, McCall emphasizes the options will appear.”
and after school because she does not fact that they are trying to find the
know when her bus will arrive. that day,” Golden said. “When no one best-fit people for the job. Often, this However, when it comes to unpre-
will include utilizing student teach- pared absences such as sick days, it is
“Every time we get a new sub, we came in after 10 minutes we knew ers and having them gain experience difficult for teachers to get subs for
get home at a different time,” Ahmad through subbing. their classes. Shuba said that not hav-
said. “The bus could come two min- something was up.” ing enough substitute teachers dam-
utes late or two minutes early – it “We’re trying to tap into all of the ages the experience of the students
Without a substitute to administer resources that make the most sense she chooses to work with.
for us,” McCall said. “What we’re not
the test, Golden said her class was going to do is just let anybody [sub- “When we decide whether or not
stitute], that can be just as harmful as we want to work, especially when we
the only class period that was un- not having enough people.” are needed, it doesn’t just affect one
person, but a whole district,” Shuba
able to take it. In the days following, While there has been a struggle said.
for McCall and other CTO’s to hire
Golden said her class experienced qualified candidates, the Ohio state
government is working to make the
Photo by Megan Lee
Students board Bus 114 after waiting at the front office because the bus did not have a driver.

8 November 18, 2022

Students hope to prevent substance abuse through awareness week

Elina Bishoyi | The Chronicle teenager, [Red Ribbon Week] is Photo by Elina Bishoyi
Mason High School (MHS) so much more effective than if it Sritanvi Gottummukkla shared information with students at the Red Ribbon Week
was just [adults] doing it,” Mantha booth about the effects of substance-abuse on teenagers.
students were smoking out the said. “I feel like it adds a personal
high school substance abuse connection.” experiencing that.” at those problems, particularly
epidemic during Red Ribbon Week. The internship gave students vaping and tobacco use, and how to
Senior Sritanvi Gottumukkla affect change here in the school.”
According to the Substance said she has always been interested the opportunity to gain a deep
Abuse Prevention Coalition of in the healthcare field and found understanding of substance abuse Gottummukkla said that she
Warren County, 21.7% of students this internship to be an effective and volunteer to help safely hoped her efforts in Red Ribbon
in Warren County reported using way to give back to the community dispose of medication at Kroger. Week made a difference in helping
electronic vapor products during and meet new people motivated Brady said he had a positive other students prevent and
the 2021-22 school year. In order towards accomplishing their experience working with the overcome addiction. She said that
to combat this rise, MHS students goal of drug and tobacco-use interns. her goal is for Red Ribbon Week
interning with the Warren County prevention. to continue at MHS, even after she
Health Department organized “[The interns] have a lot of graduates.
Red Ribbon Week to promote The students received guidance energy to try to address the
substance-abuse awareness. from Steve Brady, an assistant problems or issues that are “I just hope students know
professor at The Ohio State happening either in school or what the consequences are,”
On October 24 and October University and chair of the in the community,” Brady said. Gottummukkla said. “I want to
28 during all MHS lunches, the Substance Abuse Prevention “This internship has been very help students stop [substance
student interns set up a booth with Coalition (SAPC) of Warren good about helping students look abuse] before it’s too late.”
games, prizes and information to County, a local organization
educate the students of MHS about created with the goal of preventing
the negative effects of using drugs substance abuse around the
and other substances, especially community. Growing up, Brady
during high school. was exposed to health hazards with
smokers in his own family, which
Sophomore Isha Mantha is an he said motivated him to pursue
intern working with the Warren advocacy related to substance
County Health Department abuse prevention. Brady said he
and said that she believes her wanted to help the movement to
experience educating students prevent students from going down
at Red Ribbon Week will assist the path of substance abuse.
her in a future career in law and
advocacy. Mantha said that she “My father smokes,” Brady said.
appreciated the opportunity to “Growing up in a household where
interact with her peers to discuss that was common and sitting in
the important social issue of the backseat of a car when the
substance abuse. smoke was rolling back was not
very pleasant. I definitely want
“As a teenager educating a to prevent other people from

November 18, 2022 9

Athletes and anemia: coping while still trying to compete

Khusbu Patel | The Chronicle After an off-season of condition- – not being able to play when you opportunities to be selected. With her
Mason volleyball player Sydney ing and training in preparation for know that everything in you wants to iron levels being inconsistent, her
the 2022 season, Grebe was looking play, but you physically can’t because times fluctuated, making it more dif-
Grebe knew she was going to be forward to making significant con- you’re so tired,” Grebe said. ficult to qualify for select meets.
facing some difficult opponents this tributions to the team. Her diagnosis
year, but she did not plan on battling forced her to alter her plans. She was Anemia might have held Grebe Nair was a passionate runner
a mysterious illness that sidelined sidelined for three weeks where she back, but she has no plans of quitting who was determined to set personal
her for a portion of the Comets’ could not play or practice. She be- the game she has loved playing since records this season, however, her
season. came hospitalized and had to under- she was a little kid. condition proved to be troublesome,
go three intravenous iron infusions. physically and emotionally.
When Grebe started to experi- “Volleyball has been a part of my
ence chronic fatigue, loss of hair, ear “It was super hard; I couldn’t prac- life since I was seven years old,” “For someone who really enjoys
ringing and brittle nails, she knew tice a lot, and when the iron finally Grebe said. “Every single time I think running, [anemia] will cut your sea-
something was wrong. started working it was the end of the about quitting or I doubt myself, I son short and stop you from trying to
season already,” Grebe said. “I was look back to that seven-year-old girl get any of those opportunities,” Nair
“My body was shutting down,” definitely not a starter anymore.” that fell in love with it”. said.
Grebe said. “I was so tired all the
time; my hair started falling out. I Typically during workouts, ath- Varsity Cross Country runner Anemia, caused by iron deficiency,
didn’t really understand why or how. letes develop more stamina, however, Sharanya Nair was diagnosed with is relatively common in female
I didn’t know what was going on.” Grebe said that she was confused anemia during her freshman season athletes. Some treatments include
as to why she was not seeing any after experiencing severe dizziness, supplementing their diet with daily
After a trip to the doctor, she was improvement during her training ses- shortness of breath, and sharp respi- iron pills, eating foods rich in iron
diagnosed with anemia. Anemia is a sions. While her diagnosis helped her ratory pains. and consuming vitamin C to help the
condition that reduces healthy blood better understand what she was up body’s absorption of iron.
cells that are responsible for trans- against, it took a toll on her emotion- “I was consistently dropping times
porting oxygen throughout the body. ally because she wanted to get back when I ran meets and then all of a “I have to plan my entire diet and
The lack of oxygen can cause dizzi- out on the court. sudden, I just stopped and I couldn’t my day around when to take the
ness, lightheadedness, shortness of break past a certain time,” Nair said. tablets and it really just affects your
breath and an irregular heartbeat. “It was just frustrating overall entire lifestyle,” Nair said.
As the roster for varsity meets gets
Infographic by Allison Droege more competitive, Nair had limited Nair said that practicing with ane-
mia feels like “running through the
mud,” putting her at a severe disad-
vantage.

“Throughout your entire life,
you’re not going to be as good at
sports as other people who don’t have
to worry about [anemia],” Nair said.
“Even if I consistently have my pills
and I somehow manage to get my
blood work back to a normal level,
my iron will still be at the bottom
end of the spectrum”.

Due to her condition, Nair has been
forced to withdraw from races and on
multiple occasions required medical
attention.

“I’m not like some people [who]
just go out and run the race,” Nair
said. “For me, it’s a matter of [wheth-
er] I will be able to finish safely.”

Nair said that her condition makes
her question her dedication to cross
country. However, despite her doubts,
she continues to persevere and plays
the sport she loves.

“I remind myself that even if I
always have to struggle through this
impairment, I genuinely love run-
ning. It’s a passion that I’ve always
had, and can be good at. I’m just
gonna have to push through and
continue working hard.”

10 November 18, 2022

Mason community celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Taylor Murray | The Chronicle Photo by Taylor Murray
MHS parent Michelle Tarot shows Hispanic Heritage Celebration attendees how to decorate pencil pouches.
On October 13th, the Mason High
School (MHS) Spanish National Honor bit more about.” born in Querétaro, Mexico. People often especially in schools where you’re try-
Society joined forces with the Mason Chiara Di Loreto, a junior in the do not know at first glance that Contre- ing to teach kids.”
City Schools Diversity, Equity and In- ras is Hispanic and Latinx, but much
clusion (DEI) Council to host a celebra- MHS Spanish National Honor Soci- like Di Loreto, their culture affects The Hispanic Heritage celebration
tion for Hispanic Heritage month. ety, was behind the displays of Latin their daily life. This celebration was brought people together from all over
American countries at the celebration. something for them to look forward to, Mason, and from all different back-
Mason City Schools Public Informa- The celebration allowed her to meet since they don’t always see their culture grounds. Tarot said these events are
tion Office and leader of the Mirrors and connect with other people in the represented at school. very important to her culture, as they
and Windows initiative, Tracey Carson Mason community with a Hispanic are crucial to ensuring that minority
helped organize this event that brought background. “I think it’s really great that the groups are appreciated.
together community members who schools actually did something to com-
share the same cultural background. “It’s so fun,” Di Loreto said. “You talk memorate Hispanic people and Latino “People are embracing more of
to people in Spanish, and you usually people,” Contreras said. “It’s really [other cultures] because you fear what
“It’s so important as part of our com- don’t get to do that. People know you important to get information out there you don’t know,” Tarot said. “Now the
mitment to inclusive excellence to have speak Spanish because you’re here. So about other cultures in the world, and unknown is not so worrisome anymore,
these moments to come together as a it’s easier to talk to people.” and I can enjoy something different and
community and really celebrate the still be me.”
rich identities in our schools,” Carson Senior Mia Maldonado is part of the
said. “That’s a part of our commitment Spanish National Honor Society along
to diversity, equity and inclusion and with Di Loreto. Maldonado finds
justice.” her Hispanic heritage useful in
finding friends at school because
All month long, different schools she can bond with them over be-
in the district participated in activities ing a minority. She said that she
to educate their students on Hispanic was very excited to get a chance
Heritage. At Mason Intermediate, there to teach others about her culture.
was a contest where students could
compete to make the best and most “My family and friends are
culturally accurate poster. The winning Hispanic speakers from differ-
posters were displayed at the celebra- ent countries,” Maldonado said.
tion. There were also a variety of picture “So you get to learn about their
books published by Hispanic authors, different cultures. I think it’s a
collected by Soroya Smith. Smith is the great thing that I get to educate
diversity, equity and learning experi- other people and they get to learn
ence designer for DEI, and she brought about every other culture.”
together all of the different Hispanic
groups for this celebration. MJ Contreras, an MHS sopho-
more, was pleasantly surprised by
Another activity featured at the the number of Hispanic commu-
celebration was led by Michelle Tarot, nity members at the celebration.
the mother of two Mason graduates Both of their parents are Mexican,
and two current MHS students. Tarot and their two older brothers were
drew inspiration from traditional cloths
and fabrics from Guatemala, where
she grew up. She hosted a craft table
where visitors could decorate a small
pencil pouch using a ruler and markers,
imitating the colorful, striped pattern of
the traditional fabric.

“This is so fun because this kind of
looks similar to [the traditional fabric],”
Tarot said. “They can have it every
day, and they will remember that this
is something traditional from another
country.”

As a member of the Hispanic com-
munity in Mason, Tarot said that her
experiences in Mason can be different
from most. People have always loved
her accent, but they do not always know
the culture behind it. Mason’s DEI
council is working to educate Mason
on the subject, and Tarot said that she
is very happy that Mason provides so
many opportunities to learn about other
cultures.

“Nowadays, people are embracing
more diversity, which is awesome,”
Tarot said. “I feel that there are so many
countries represented - not just Hispan-
ic, but around the world here in Mason
- that everybody wants to know a little

November 18, 2022 11

12

breaking down the ba
Drew Hoffmaster | The Chronicle Your guide to the William Mason High School Marching Band

Sophomore Christina Kraimer, Clarinet Senior Nitya Suri, Color Guard

As a brand-new addition, this year’s uniform has an ombré blue Senior color guard member Nitya Suri said that
cape with white swirls. Sophomore clarinet player Christina Kraimer the guard adds the color that brings the show’s visuals
said that she feels the capes are more than just an accessory; they alive. Suri and the other guard members spin a variety
are key visual tools. During the show, the marching band uses of equipment like flags, sabers and rifles. At some parts,
their capes in dance choreography when they are not marching. guard members also set down their equipment to dance
Additionally, the color guard’s cape is incorporated as a flowy, yellow to create fluidity and emotion.
skirt.
“The band plays the music and creates the stage
“[The capes are] definitely a lot different from all the past shows,” and we build on it,” Suri said. “We add that extra layer of
Kraimer said. “ It’s more individual because we are able to choose prettiness.”
what we do with them.”

Senior Kotaro Fujiwara, Clarinet Photo b y Takumi Suzuki
y Doug Gardner
Soloists take a step back from the visual aspect and
focus solely on the music. Senior clarinet player Kotaro
Fujiwara said he embraces the high pressure of playing
separately from the rest of the clarinets in order to
create extra textures and add colors to the music.

“When we’re playing in the full ensemble we have
to blend together,” Fujiwara said. “But as a soloist, I
can show my own personality with my own unique
sounds.”

Senior Gavin Dove, Drum Major Photo by GinaMarshall

Photos by Lily Haller The drum majors lead the band, conducting the entire band Photo b
Field photo by Nancy Riley and guard from their podiums. Senior drum major Gavin Dove
Page design by Izzy Gaspar’raj is one of the members of the band who auditioned for this
position. Dove said that it is a huge responsibility to lead and
keep the show together. The drum majors control the speed
and when everything begins.

“Conducting is an expression,” Dove said. “It conveys an
emotion to the performer so the performer can convey that to
the audience.”

and On November 10 and 12, 2022, the marching band Photo by Doug 13
d and Guard performed in Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The band advanced onto both the Semi-Finals and Jason Sleppy, Marching Band Director
Finals rounds, and placed fourth out of the 100 bands Gardner
who competed at Grand Nationals. Since the beginning of June, William Mason High
School’s marching band has dedicated countless hours
Senior Gomathy Venkateeswaran, Flute to perfect their 2022 show, Odyssey. The show’s visuals
utilize white tarps in the shape of a wave, uniforms that
Senior flute player Gomathy Venkateeswaran said are a mix of blue and yellow and capes. Marching band
that the woodwinds are more complicated than most director Jason Sleppy said that this show was specifically
people believe. The section is made up of clarinets, chosen this year as a departure from the style of the
flutes, saxophones and low reeds, all of whom play previous year’s Top Gun show. The marching band’s brass,
fast tempos to build the chaotic parts of the show. woodwinds, percussion and color guard sections all
Venkateeswaran and the rest of the woodwinds stand come together to create their competition show.
out from the rest of the sections by adding softer
textures and higher pitches. “The show is beautiful, unique, and fresh,” Sleppy said.
“The marching band did a good job with something in a
“What makes us good is that we make the simple so different direction than what we’ve done before.”
complicated,”Venkateeswaran said. “We add dynamics
and shape the notes to make it sound better.” Senior Grey Montgomery,
Snare Drum

The drumline is composed of bass
drums, snare drums and quad drums, which
they wear on their bodies. Senior snare
drum player Grey Montgomery said that the
drumline propels the speed of the show.
Their job is to act as the heart of the band,
helping set the tempos and rhythms, as well
as emphasizing the important crescendos in
the music.

“We get the show moving in the
beginning and then we push it to the end,”
Montgomery said.

Junior Anna Oscar, Marimba Senior David Botkin, Trumpet

The front ensemble is made up of a variety of percussive instruments, The first skill the instrumentalists are
from vibraphones to synthesizers, which produce a soundscape for the taught is how to march. According to senior
show. Even though the front ensemble doesn’t march, junior marimba trumpet player David Botkin, marching
player Anna Oscar said that their wide variety of instruments creates is extremely tough but is an important
unique sound effects to underscore the other sections, as well as fundamental. The band is taught how to
smoothens transitions between the five different movements of the march a certain way, making it look like
show. they are gliding, while also forming different
shapes on the field.
“The higher-pitched metal sounds make a clear tone,” Oscar said. “The
marimbas contribute to the wavy feel to the show and the synthesizers “[Marching] is pretty similar to walking,”
add a lot of color.” Botkin said. “You think of the joint in your
hip as a pendulum and then your legs
move in straight lines back and forth.”

Sophomore Samuel Goetz, Trumpet

Sophomore trumpet player Samuel Goetz said that the brass
smoothens out the show. The brass section is one of the loudest
sections of the marching band, composed of trumpets, trombones,
sousaphones, mellophones and baritones. Goetz and the rest of the
brass switch back and forth between being aggressive and soft. The
brass also has the job of highlighting the high-impact moments of
the show.

“[The brass] have a brighter sound in the marching band,” Goetz
said. “The brass is mainly good for the loud parts of the piece but
sound good for the quieter parts.”

14 October 18, 2022

Student Opinion: In Conversation With:

What is your opinion on voting Senior Kaasvi Anshu
age? Is it too young, too old, or
Compiled by Josie Lorenz
just right?
Tell us about yourself. Tell us about your hobbies,
I feel like it should be changed to when interests, and extracurriculars.
peoples brain has been fully formed, so it’s to
young, like 25 makes more sense since their Hi! I am Kaasvi, a senior this year. The science of learning,
brain is fully formed. - Freshman Ellie Winegardner cognition, and metacognition
fascinates me, and most of my
I think it’s just right because once you’re an adult extracurriculars encompass these
[18] you gain more responsibilities than you had arenas. In addition to writing, I enjoy
before. With more responsibilities you gain more verbally communicating about the
experience and voting for most, is a jump start importance of growing from our
academic adversities with enthusiasm
into the adult life. - Junior Elainey Robertson through a podcast that I run called
Boundless Growth. Branching off of
I think that the voting age minimum this, the COVID-19 pandemic inspired
is just right, but I think there should me to recently launch an online forum
be a maximum limit on voting age. (also called Boundless Growth), which
offers an online platform for students to
- Sophomore Kendall Davis engage in meaningful conversations on
intellectual topics and help each other
Scan this QR code It should be younger. If you’re overcome academic difficulties. This
to have a chance to paying taxes, you should be able
be featured in next forum is just starting out and I hope to expand
edition’s Student to vote on where your money its prospects throughout the school year. Outside
goes. - Junior Owen Christensen of exploring neuroscience, I treasure the time I spend
Spotlights! watching Bollywood movies with my family and hanging
out at the Mason Public Library.
Student Opinion:
Can you tell us about your book?
Where would you most like to live?
“Introduction to Neuroscience” is a beginner-level book
Country with an engaging narration on foundational neuroscience
11% topics. The incorporation of illustrations and examples
makes this subject more understandable to students who
Suburbs City are just starting to get their feet wet in this subject. Two
37% 52% of my favorite chapters in the book include: “The human
brain and consciousness” and “neuroplasticity” because these
Results taken from Google Form poll with a sample of 35 responses. two topics are the most novel and exciting fields of study in
Graphics by Allison Droege. Page design by Izzy Gaspar’raj. neuroscience.

When did you start writing your book? When did
you get the idea?

I started writing my book this past summer and the whole
process took me about 3.5 months. My inspiration was a
student at Stanford who wrote a book called “Gateway to
American Economics” when she was a high schooler. In
neuroscience, a key societal implication is that many young
learners get intimidated when they hear about neuroscience,
which is understandable, given that the brain is the most
perplexing organ of the body. I wanted this complicated,
yet immensely interesting subject area, to seem more
approachable to young learners, and thus decided to write
this book.

What was your motivation for writing this
book?

Though a majority of my motivation for this book was
rooted in my desire to make students feel less intimidated
by neuroscience, I also wanted this project to help me
practice the skill of communicating complicated scientific
topics in understandable language. This skill is critical to
becoming a successful cognitive neuroscientist, which is a career I aspire to pursue.

Where do you see your writing going in the future?

Writing this book was an incredibly rewarding venture. In college, I want to continue
publishing more neuroscience books that gradually delve deeper into the mystery of brain
functions. My goal is that by the time I graduate, I will have published a “neuroscience
series.”

November 18, 2022 15

entertainment MOVIE
REVIEW
It was difficult to imagine a Black designer, dedicated her time to making hearts with Shuri after she
Panther movie without lead actor sure each piece of clothing was cultur- continued to lose the people Black Panther:
Chadwick Boseman, but Black Panther: ally accurate. The vibrant colors along she loved, it felt as if M’Baku Wakanda Forever
Wakanda Forever proved to be a mas- with the intricate patterns made the was just there to helplessly
sive success. After Boseman’s abrupt characters stand out. The antagonist watch a nation fall. DIRECTOR:
passing, many were unsure about the Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta, wore Ryan Coogler
future of the beloved character. Fortu- a lot of beaded jewelry to represent In the first Black Panther, Everett
nately, director Ryan Coogler was able the culture of his fictional city, Talokan. Ross, played by Martin Freeman, by Bradyn
to make the transition between the two And as for Namor’s villain arc, it was was a large factor in the takedown of Johnson
leading roles seamless. simply unmatched. Since Namor only villains Killmonger and Klaue; how-
The film’s star, Letitia Wright, did an wanted what was best for his nation, ever, in this movie, he played 4/5
incredible job at highlighting a differ- the audience was never sure whether a small part as Wakandas’
ent side of her character, Shuri’s, life. they should hate him or adore him for American liaison. Fortunately,
Although part of the movie focuses on protecting his citizens. he did not take too much
her ability to cope with the unexpected Comic relief was a necessary factor camera time away from the
death of her older brother, it also in this film, especially because of all the important parts of the plot, but
demonstrates the large leadership role loss that the audience faced. However, a large portion of his dialogue
she had to take on as an heir to the it was unfortunate that we were unable was not necessary.
Wakandan throne. to see the full development of char-
One of the key aspects of the film is acters like M’Baku, played by Winston Despite Boseman’s passing,
the costume design. Ruth Carter, the Duke. Although he had many heart to Ryan Coogler was able to trans-
form an uncertain storyline into an
impressive film.

ALBUM “21, Can you do something for me?” Drake and the two rappers produced what is in my opinion
REVIEW 21 Savage’s most recent album, Her Loss, was the second best song in the album

Her Loss released on November 4, 2022, and the duo In his 9th song and a personal favorite, Travis
did not miss. Scott joins the 2 undisputed GOATs and puts on
by Drake The album consists of 16 songs with a a clinic, performing what could potentially be
playing time of exactly an hour. Travis Scott Song of the Year. “P**** & Millions” brings in an R&B
by Ali Sami was the only feature on the album, and introduction and transitions slowly into rap. Drake
he put on a show in the song “P**** & Mil- builds up the song by repeating “Bring on the
4.5/5 lions”. Throughout the entire album, Drake problems” which produces a wild beat drop that
and 21 gave a nice variety of music, ranging sets up the foundation for 21 Savage and Travis
from fast-paced rap to slower rhythmic R&B. Scott to effortlessly finish the song. Page Design by Izzy Gaspar’raj
The album started with “Rich Flex”, which
Song number 10, “Broke Boys”, has another beat
immediately went viral on TikTok. The following switch where Drake changes the entire rhythm
song, “Major Distribution”, had a drastic shift in the of the song and converts the mood from hype to
beat, with an uplifting intro into an unexpected chill. Overall, the album was very successful, but
switch in flow. the last few songs were rather lackluster compared
to hits like “P**** & Millions” and “Spin Bout U.” De-
Opening with 21, “Spin Bout U” is easily one of spite a few uninspired songs, Drake and 21 Savage
the top songs in the album. Both rappers took on put on a spectacular show with Her Loss and once
different types of roles and the lyrics had a more again proved why they are the best in the rap
important meaning to them compared to other game right now.
songs on the album. With a really diverse beat
switching countless times throughout the song,

Self-loathing, fantasizing about re- 2020. Taylor crafts “The Great War” and
venge, wondering what could have been, Swift continues the juxtaposition “Paris” to transport us somewhere
falling in love and falling apart. in another world she creates with
between melancholy, happiness, revenge, her music. “Dear Reader” brings
Through 13 beautifully crafted new and confusion through the variety in her the album to a perfect close
songs, Taylor Swift’s new album, Mid- album sequencing. Swift’s songs alternate with its soft piano notes that ALBUM by Risha Chada
nights, delivered on every single one of from lighter, fast-paced pop songs to signal the night’s end.
these five emotions. The album created an harsher, deeper songs with underlying Although the majority 4.5/5
array of sounds and feelings that encom- themes of self-loathing (“Anti-Hero”) or of the album retained REVIEW
pass the idea of “midnight.” Three hours heartache (“Great War”). the maturity that
after her 12 a.m. release, Swift released 7 comes with the themes
additional songs, shocking self-proclaimed Swift’s trademark ingenious lyrics show of nostalgia, heartbreak Midnights (3am
Swifties everywhere. her newfound maturity and allow her to and regret, her biggest edition)
create an album that contains 20 songs, mistake was including
The album begins with “Lavender Haze” each unique in their own regard. Her lyrics “Vigilante S***” on the album.
and, when factoring in the surprise release range from distinctly feminist with lines Placed in between lighter by Taylor Swift
of seven additional songs on Midnights like “No deal, the 1950s sh** they want
(3am Edition), ends with “Dear Reader.” from me” (Lavender Haze) to empathetical- songs like “Question?...” and
Certain songs from the album bring past ly hopeless and despairing with lines like “Bejeweled,”“Vigilante S***” felt
Swift eras into new limelight: “Paris” has “and the voices that implore ‘You should very out of place, and despite the
the reminiscence of young love that gives be doing more’” (Sweet Nothings) and “I song being good, would have fit far
it an honorary place on the Lover album, drew curtains closed, drank my poison all better on Reputation.
and “Vigilante S***” could come straight alone” (Great War). Don’t get me wrong, this one minor
out of Swift’s Reputation era with its start- flaw does not define the album. Swift’s
ing line “Draw the cat eye sharp enough to The additional 3am Edition songs create latest songs are still masterful, highlight-
kill a man.” Despite this nostalgia, however, a bittersweet ending, perfectly encapsulat- ing the whirlwind of emotions that flit
Midnights ultimately still stands on its own ing one’s feeling at the hour: knowing the through one’s mind at midnight.
as her first original album release since night is almost over, dreading the morning
to come, yet remaining stuck in the past.

16 sports November 18, 2022

Aggarwal repeats as state tennis champion

Ali Sami | The Chronicle with Mason Tennis,” Aggarwal career. Photo by Aron Dornhecker
said. “I can leave Mason with “Coach Reid has helped me Shyla Aggarwal celebrates her individudal state championship win.
Shyla Aggarwal cemented accomplishments I’ll never
her legacy as one of the great- forget and friendships I’ll hold a lot this season, and he’s al-
est athletes to walk the halls of onto for a lifetime.” ways there for me. I can always
Mason High School, winning count on him whenever I need
her second consecutive indi- Shyla Aggarwal defeated a any extra hitting.” Aggarwal
vidual tennis state champion- familiar foe in the state finals, said. “He’ll always be there to
ship on October 22, at Lindner senior Tess Bucher of North do extra drills with me.”
Family Tennis Center, Mason, Canton However, who she beat
Ohio. in the state semi-finals last Aggarwal did not lose a set
year. After Aggarwal won the in her junior or senior season
Aggarwal, the only individ- first set 6-3, going 59-0. She concluded her
ual state champion in Mason career on a high note with a
girls’ tennis history, closes her Bucher jumped out to an team and individual state title,
high school tennis career as a early 3-0 lead in the second set. bringing her total count up
three-time state finalist, two- Aggarwal responded by win- to six.
time singles champion, and ning six of the next seven sets
four-time team champion. to secure her second individual Aggarwal said her team-
state title. mates were critical in helping
Aggarwal, also one of the her leave a legacy with the pro-
Comets team captains this Aggarwal is committed to gram, and that their support
season, said that she is grateful continuing her academic and throughout her success will
for all of her tennis accom- athletic career playing division always stick with her.
plishments as well as the long- one tennis at Yale University.
lasting connections she made Aggarwal said her head coach “This weekend wouldn’t
with her teammates. Mike Reid deserves much have been possible without
of the credit for her success my teammates,” Aggarwal
“I’m happy with my career on the court over her Comet said. “I’m really proud to be a
Comet.”

Comets win sixth straight
tennis championship

Ali Sami | The Chronicle first singles player, Shyla Aggarwal, Photo contributed by Prasenjit Chaudhuri
won her set 2-0. Harshita Uppuganti The Mason girls tennis team poses with their sixth-straight OTCA state champi-
With a sixth consecutive state defeated Addison Shiel 5-2 in the onship trophy and banner.
tennis championship, the Mason final singles match 5-2 to clinch the
Comets carved their legacy in the team victory for Mason. to kind of look up to because he nament. Although the departing
history of Mason athletics as one senior class has played a major
of the top teams to ever wear the Uppuganti said that she felt pres- always finds a way to make it fun. role in all of those championships,
Comets‘ uniform and cemented the sure during her match because this Aggarwal said she is confident that
program as one of the most domi- was the last match of her accom- And he always believes in you and the returning players will continue
nant in the landscape of girls tennis plished high school career. shows attention to you, even if you the Comets‘ reign of success.
in the state of Ohio. aren’t in the starting lineup.”
“I told myself to take breaths and “Everybody on the team is super
On October 23, the Comets won to take each point at a time,” Uppu- The senior tennis girls have do- hard working. Aggarwal said. Even
the Ohio Tennis Coaches Associa- ganti said. “I didn’t perform how I minated division one tennis in Ohio with seniors leaving I think that
tion (OTCA) team tournament wanted to last year, so I wanted to from the moment they stepped foot Mason will be great for a long
championship at Saint Xavier High come back stronger for myself and on the court as freshmen. They fi- time.”
School. They defeated the New Coach Reid since it’s his last season nished their careers as back-to-back-
Albany Eagles in the semi-finals 3-0 and I did that.” to-back-to-back state champions, a
before taking down North Canton perfect record at the state tour-
Hoover 3-0 in the finals. Coach Mike Reid is officially
calling it a career after the 2022-23
Team tennis matches are played season. In his tenure at Mason,
in a best-of-five format with three he led the girl’s tennis team to
singles matchups and two doubles six-consecutive state titles. Senior
matchups. Freshman third singles co-captain Riya Zutshi said that
player Pratyusha Chaudhuri jumps- Reid has left a significant impact on
tarted the Comets by defeating Ema everyone who has been a part of the
Papcke in two sets. The Comets’ program during his time.

“I think Coach Reid is someone

November 18, 2022 17

STUDENT ATHLETE

‘s ofthe MONTH

SHYLA AGGARWAL

Camden Paeltz | The Chronicle Mason. Last season she won all 26 of
her games and went 30-0 this year.
Shyla Aggarwal capped off her Agrawal has won numerous honors
historic Mason athletic career with a including being named Cincinnati
second consecutive individual state Divison one player of the year and all-
championship. Aggarwal is the only Ohio, she was also nominated for the
girl in Mason tennis history to have Al-USA Today’s High School Sports
won an individual title and leaves a Awards nationals girls tennis player of
legacy as one of the greatest Comet the year.
athletes ever.
In the team state championship
Aggarwal, who was also state run- match, Aggarwal served as the Com-
ner-up as a sophomore, became a back- ets’ first singles player. She won both
to-back state champion by defeating of her matches in two sets, leading
North Canton Hoover’s Tess Bucher in Mason to their sixth consecutive team
two sets (6-2, 6-1). Bucher was a famil- title. Aggarwal wraps up her high
iar opponent for Aggarwal, as the two school career as a four-time team
faced off in last year’s state semi-final champion and two-time state cham-
match. pion.

In addition to her postseason suc- Aggarwal will continue her career
cess, Aggarwal had one of the most playing division one tennis at Yale
dominant regular seasons careers in University next year.

AGGARWAL'S NUMBERS

TWO ZERO FOUR

Two-time individual Zero losses over the past two Four-time team state
state champion seasons champion

Comet Zone’s Student Athlete of the Month selected by The Chronicle Sports Staff. Photo by Aron Dornhecker. Graphic by Allison Droege. Page Design by Izzy Gaspar’raj

18 November 18, 2022

Mason becomes second school in OHSAA history to win

Andrew Little | Sports Editor state championship team returned, Terre Haute, Indiana, and the Mason The boys headed into the meet
resulting in high expectations for Invitational. Both teams were victo- with momentum but missing one
Sheer and utter domination. the team during this preseason. rious in all but one of their meets, key piece. Senior Keith Neuburger,
Both the Mason High School Nike Valley, and these wins gave their third finisher at state last
boys and girls cross country teams They opened the season as the them confidence heading into the season, did not compete after bat-
concluded dominant seasons with number-one ranked team in the postseason. tling injuries throughout the season.
victories at the Ohio High School Ohio coaches poll and ranked as What they did not expect was to lose
Athletic Association state champion- a top team nationally. The girls Both Comet teams cruised their lead runner Isaac Schachleiter,
ship meet in Obetz, Ohio. The boys finished in eighth-place at last year’s through the Greater Miami Confer- the GMC Runner of the Year, during
won their second-consecutive state OHSAA championship, and opened ence championship, the southwest the race. Schachleiter passed out
title and fourth all-time, while the this season with a victory at the district championship, and the with less than a half-mile remain-
girls won their first title since 2013 OHSAA Preseason Invitational in regional championship, winning all ing. As the runners came across the
and third all-time. August at the state championship three races. They both entered the finish line, it was not immediately
The boys won the 2021 OHSAA course. They were subsequently state championship as the top teams apparent that the Comets had won
state championship with 106 points, ranked first in the Ohio coaches in the coaches’ polls, and the boys the race like last year. Boys head
a 38-point margin over the runner- poll. Both team’s regular seasons were considered the favorites to coach Tom Rapp said that the team’s
up Dublin Coffman. The top two consisted of many high-profile take home the trophy for a second- depth was the key factor to their
Comet finishers at the state meet, meets inside and outside the state straight year. The girls, along with victory that ended up being tighter
Alex DeRoussel and Aiden Amshoff, of Ohio, including the Louisville Hilliard Davidson, were considered than they could have anticipated.
graduated after the season. The Trinity Invitational, the Culver top contenders to win the state
remaining top runners from the Academies Invitational in Indiana, championship.
the Nike Valley Twilight Race in

Photo by Andrew Little

The boys and girls Mason cross country teams celebrate their victories together on the state championship podium.

November 18, 2022 19

both cross country state championships in the same year

(continued from page 18) Xavier’s fourth and fifth finishers. pivotal in the team’s victory. Photo by Andrew Little
“The state meet is always a crazy These efforts resulted in the Comets “If you have a front runner it helps Grace McKay was honored as All-State
scoring 128 points to narrowly defeat after placing eighth individually.
environment, but this year was par- St. Xavier by a 14-point margin, de- a whole lot,” Dobson said. “It’s almost
ticularly so,” Rapp said. “We knew we spite the fact that St. Xavier’s top two as if you’re only scoring four runners Max Liao, the boys’ first finisher, placed
lost our number one man during the runners outperformed the Comets’ when you have someone in the first 18th individually to be named All-State.
race, and that made it a real struggle. top two runners. Rapp said that he couple of places. That helps your
But the great thing is that this is a was very proud of the grit displayed cause a lot so it’s great.” Efa Paschka placed sixth invidually and
team of depth.” by his runners, who elevated their was named to the All-Ohio team.
performances in spite of adversity. Closely behind Paschka was senior
One of the runners that stepped Grace McKay, who surged at the end
up was junior Max Liao, the Com- “Our guys’ toughness showed of the race passing six runners after
ets’ fifth-finisher at the state meet greatly in the sense that when they the second mile. McKay finished
last season. This year he took a step saw that Isaac was struggling,” Rapp with a time of 18:32, good enough for
forward and finished as the team’s said. “A lot of teams would go into eighth overall in the race. Freshman
second, fourth, and third man dur- the tank and go, ’there goes our first Bella Teply, junior Carlie Condit,
ing the three most recent races. day we’re not going to win.’ But in and sophomore Addison Stephens
Schachleiter was in the front pack this case, they saw, ‘there goes our finished the race in a tight pack,
during the first mile of the race but first man, I have to step up and do placing 31st, 33rd, and 34th to clinch
fell back several spots after being the job.’ And they did. It wasn’t pretty the Comets’ victory. Dobson said the
spiked, still maintaining his position but we got the job done.” consistency from the five scoring Ma-
as the Comets’ first man. Schachleit- son runners allowed them to fend off
er was still leading the Comets with The race was so close that the Hilliard Davidson, who they expected
less than a mile to go but did not results were not made official until to be their primary competition, for
finish the race after passing out. nearly ten minutes after the last the victory.
Liao improved his positioning by runners crossed the finish line.
nine places after the second mile of This uncertainty over who won the “The expectations were to battle,”
the five-kilometer race. He replaced race, alongside their concern over Dobson said. “We knew it was going
Schachleiter as Mason’s first runner, Schachleiter’s condition heightened to be tight and we had to have some
finishing in 18th place overall and emotions for the Comets. Liao said things break right for us for it to
earning All-Ohio honors. Liao said that he was overwhelmed by joy happen, and it did.
that seeing Schachleiter, his team and relief when the results became
captain, struggle motivated him to official, and the unusual situation Mason is now the second school
finish the race and lead the victory of the win evoked unique emotions in OHSAA history to sweep both the
for his teammate. compared to last year’s victory. boys’ and girls’ cross country state
championships. The first was Hilliard
“If my captain is falling back I’m “It means everything to me,” Liao Davidson 20 years ago in 2002.
gonna pick it up for him because said. “The team comes first and if the
that’s what teammates do,” Liao said. team didn’t win that individual place- The boys joined girls swimming in
“When one guy falls, the rest of us ment would have meant nothing. 2018-19, girls cross country in 2012-13
can pick it up. We go faster. We fight Knowing that our whole team won, and girls golf in 2008, 2009, and 2010
harder.” that’s the best feeling in the world.” as the only sports in Mason athletics
history to win consecutive OHSAA
Senior James Mroczka and junior The girls’ race also featured very state championships. They are the
Brendan Roe also improved their close results as Mason, who scored 75 first men’s team to ever repeat as
places at the end of the race to finish points, defeated runner-up Hilliard OHSAA champions. Rapp said that
32nd and 48th overall and second Davidson by a 16-point margin. this group of runners left a long-
and third for their team. Junior Jerry Freshman Efa Paschka, the Comets’ lasting impact on the Mason running
Xu, senior Aidan Markich and senior lead runner all season long, paved program.
Braeden Fedders followed shortly af- the way finishing in sixth-place
ter for the Comets. In cross country, overall with a time of 18:20. Paschka “We have a legacy of guys on our
the places for each team’s top five was in the front pack for almost the team,” Rapp said. “They expect to
runners are added up for the team’s entirety of the race, and girls’ head be good. They expect to win. They
final score. Roe, Xu, and Markich coach Chip Dobson said her impact expect to compete well at this level.
all finished in front of runner-up St. finishing near the top of the race was We keep preaching that to them and
now the next wave coming up, they’ll
have those same expectations.”

20 November 18, 2022

Photo by Drew Vaughn
Daniel Heister, AJ Wilhelm, Timmy Hollenbeck, Nate Vonderhaar, Luke Attal, Tim Lambert, and Jim Burkardt celebrate the Comets’ historic state tournament performances.

Boys golf leaves legacy with highest state tournament finish in school history

Sean Speidel | The Chronicle regular season and postseason run. since their freshman year. Vonder- like bond between the Vonderhaar
Luke Attal, who was the Comets’ haar, Hollenbeck, and Wilhelm have and Wilhelm tied for runner-up at
Although they fell short of their each won GMC Player of the year the state tournament, and golfers will
goal to win a state championship, the fourth-highest finisher and placed honors at least once in their careers. live past Mason Golf and that these
Mason boys golf seniors capped off 30th overall, said that even though teammates are the best that he could
their historic careers with the highest they fell short of their ultimate goal, Attal said that because they have have asked to compete with.
OHSAA state tournament finish in the team is still very happy with their been playing with each other for so
school history. final season of Mason golf. long, he’s been able to grow closer “It’s been a pleasure playing along-
with his teammates and watch them side these absolute studs,” Wilhelm
The team placed second, finishing “You can’t overlook the regular sea- get better and better. said. “I couldn’t have thought of a
just three strokes behind St. Ignatius. son that we had,” Attal said. “It was better way to spend my four years.
On the first day at the OHSAA State a good season, it’s just not the finish “It’s been cool to see how every- I’ve learned a lot of life lessons and
tournament, the team shot their that we wanted.” one has grown together,” Attal said. had new experiences that helped
highest round of the season by 11 “That’s been one of my favorite parts shape the person that I am.”
strokes. The Comets entered the sec- The state tournament may have of being on the team.”
ond day of the tournament in fourth concluded their high school careers, The golfers capped off their careers
place. Following their rough start, but it is not the end of the story for From intense ping pong matches with historic seasons filled with
the golfers came in hot on the second four of the top golfers on the team. to hotel room pillow fights, the bond personal bests and broken records
day, and nearly set a course record in They will continue to compete at the that this group share goes beyond but fell short of their ultimate goal
their effort to counteract the deficit. next level as they are each commit- just being teammates. Daniel Heister, to win a state championship. Timmy
ted to division-1 universities. Nate who finished third for the Comets Hollenbeck said that he got emotion-
Vonderhaar and Wilhelm rallied Vonderhaar is committed to Miami and seventh overall, said that most of al when he realized that his career
back and tied for individual runner- University (OH), AJ Wilhelm is his favorite memories did not even with Mason golf had come to an end.
up but their efforts proved to be too committed to Xavier University, and take place on the course, but rather
little, too late as St. Ignatius narrowly Timmy Hollenbeck and Daniel Heis- were spent having fun with his team- “I got a little teary-eyed stepping
beat out the Comets for the state ter are committed to Wright State mates. away from the hole,” Hollenbeck
championship trophy. University. said. “I walked off the green and all
“It’s kind of ironic, but golfing of my teammates came over and gave
The second-place finish in the state All of the golfers have been golf- was probably the least fun of all the me a hug. That’s kind of when it set
tournament was not how the team ing competitively since they were in things we did,” Heister said. in that it was the last ride.”
was hoping to finish off their historic middle school, and have been key
members of the high school team The golfers treat each other like
family. Wilhelm said that the brother-

November 18, 2022 21

Photo by Carly Prows
Seniors Alex Zemberi (right) and Emma Harter (left) play pickleball at Four Bridges Country Club.

In a pickle, grab a paddle: pickleball grows in popularity

Carly Prows | The Chronicle tor Laura Toomb said the club is cur- transformation, Lessis has begun to she enjoys the aspects of pickleball
rently adding six pickleball courts to recognize the profitability of pickle- that differentiate it from other sports.
Pickleball is taking over the nation, the space once occupied by an indoor ball by giving players free access to
one tennis court at a time. soccer field. courts at all times. “It’s a mixture of sports,” Harter
said. “Like tennis combined with
According to the Sports and Fit- “When I took over, there were may- “There are fewer barriers to play handball and ping-pong, which
ness Industry Association, pickleball be twelve [pickleball] regulars and pickleball,” Lessis said. “Paddles and makes it really fun.”
is the fastest-growing sport in the some sporadic [members],” Toomb balls are inexpensive, most outside
nation. With a 40 percent increase said. “Now, I send an email each week court facilities are free, and pickle- Playing over the summer with
in the number of players since 2020, to 360 pickleball players.” ball is much more social than tennis.” friends such as Zemberi, Harter has
five million Americans have fallen in cultivated a passion for pickleball.
love with the sport, and the numbers Though the pickleball courts will This recent wave of pickleball fever Though it may be an easy-going,
are only growing. not be ready for play until mid-No- is not exclusive to adults. Pickleball getaway activity for most, Harter
vember, pickleball players can easily has made its way around Mason High said she definitely considers carving
Like tennis, pickleball can be adapt to the gymnasium for the time School (MHS), and students such as out more time for pickleball in the
played with two (singles) or four being. Unlike most sports, players do senior Alex Zemberi have taken a future.
(doubles) players. The game begins not need to rely on athletic ability or genuine interest in the sport.
with a server hitting the ball over the experience to have a good time. “At first I thought it was just fun
net to land in the crosscourt service “I played once or twice a week with and relaxing,” Harter said. “Now, I
area. During the game, players will “In tennis, you have to [have skill], my friend in the summer,” Zemberi could maybe see myself joining a
stand on opposing sides of the net reserve courts, and find people to said. “I like how it’s fast-paced, and club in college.”
and hit the ball after one bounce to play,” Toomb said. “In pickleball, all it’s definitely easy to pick up on.”
the other side of the net. One point you have to do is show up with a rac- As simple as this sport seems,
is earned if the opposing side can- quet in your hand [ready to] play” Zemberi had recently learned there is so much more to enjoy about
not return the ball. “The kitchen” is about pickleball this past summer pickleball than just hitting the ball.
a seven-foot area on each side of the Sawyer Point Park provides another but grew fond of it quickly. Though Whether it be playing for fun or
net where players can only cross once location for pickleball frequenters Zemberi does not play pickleball competitively, pickleball is a sport
the ball bounces. The game is over in Mason. In a matter of two years, competitively, she said she could en- for all.
when a team scores 11, 15, or 21 points. the park transformed from a vacant vision herself continuing her hobby
strip of tennis courts to 18 brand-new in the future. “[Pickleball] – always fun, always
New pickleball facilities are being pickleball courts. President of Sawyer social, always meeting new people,”
built around the country, and in Point Gary Lessis, and the rest of the “I would [potentially] play pick- Toomb said. “I don’t think there’s any
Mason, many clubs and parks are Sawyer Point committee, saw the ex- leball on one of those intramural other sport in the world that does
repurposing courts to account for plosion in pickleball popularity and [teams],” Zemberi said. “Not anything that.”
this pickleball growth. Lifetime Fit- worked to create this change. high-level, but totally for fun.”
ness, a popular gym for many Mason Scan this QR code to
residents, has taken the community’s “We’ve created a world-class facil- Zemberi often played with Senior see Zemberi and Har-
passion for pickleball into their own ity,” Lessis said. “And, probably the Emma Harter at Four Bridges coun-
hands. Lifetime Pickleball Coordina- biggest thing is that we have [a sys- try club over the summer. Harter’s ter play pickleball!
tem] that welcomes everyone.” grandparents introduced her to the
sport four years ago, and she has con-
With Sawyer Point Park’s recent tinued playing ever since. Harter said

22 November 18, 2022

Staff Editorial The Case for
Castner as GMC
Glorifying murder needs to stop Coach of the Year

In 1964, Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Doxtator, fourteen years old. These Andrew Little | The Chronicle
Blood’ generated a record-breaking are just three of Dahmer’s seventeen
level of excitement for horror stories, confirmed victims. Boys with lives, What qualities embody a great coach?
skyrocketing the popularity of true families, friends, and futures. A great coach gets the best out of their players. A great coach is a
crime in pop culture. However, this motivator. A great coach understands that building a culture is just as
attitude of entertainment towards these Shirley Hughs, the mother of important as building a roster. Mason football head coach Brian Castner
real-life horror stories encouraged a victim Tony Hughs, spoke out after epitomized that criteria this season.
detachment from the seriousness of Netflix released Dahmer. She told The No one in southwest Ohio, not just the Greater Miami Conference,
the stories. In recent years, the use of Guardian, “I don’t see how they can do maximized his team’s success as much as Castner did. Castner might
Tiktok has brought these retellings to that. I don’t see how they can use our not be the obvious pick for GMC coach of the year, but he is certainly
an audience of millions as if they are names and put stuff out like that out worthy of the accolade.
simply old ghost stories instead of there.” For their own benefit, Netflix The Mason Comet football program has a reputation for putting
real-life people. dramatized the trauma these boys and out good, never great teams. Year in and year out, they are predicted
young men had to endure. They held no to finish behind the supposed top tier of the GMC. Recently that has
In September 2022, Netflix released regard for the families of the victims, consisted of the Colerain Cardinals, Lakota West Firebirds, Princeton
Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer with the sole purpose to make money Vikings, and Fairfield Indians.
Story. The series dramatizes the life and appeal to self-proclaimed ‘true Colerain has reigned over the GMC for the entire millennium with
of the notorious serial killer Jeffrey crime junkies’. And it worked. a 20-consecutive conference championship streak that ended in 2020.
Dahmer, starring actor Evan Peters. That mantle passed to Lakota West, who has won the past three titles.
Netflix cast Peters in the role of Dahmer This kind of media gives power to Because of this, few outside the Dwire Field locker room expected
as a conventionally attractive man, these terrible excuses for humans, Mason to be much more than a middle-of-the-pack team in 2022.
encouraging consumers to identify him even beyond the grave. There is no And yet, by the second weekend of November, only four teams
as a protagonist in a sick and twisted series named Linsley, no series named (Moeller, Lakota West, Elder, and Mason) were left in the Ohio division
way. The series quickly topped Netflix’s Lacey, and no series named Doxator. one region four bracket. One of these teams should stick out to you, the
charts and became a prominent This is the glorification of murder. Comets. Mason is not a team that perennially churns out major division
discussion topic on social media. Several These consumers are sitting behind one recruits like many neighboring programs that either are private
lines from the series became popular a screen, enjoying the gore and sick schools or have open enrollment. In fact, this was the first time in
TikTok audios that Dahmer fanatics dramatization of this story while the program history that the Comets won multiple playoff games.
could lip-sync to. Teenagers purchasing victims are dead and their families Their season concluded in the regional semi-finals with a 24-16 loss
merchandise of this killer as if he was continue to mourn. to the Moeller Crusaders, one of the favorites to take home the OHSAA
an idol or celebrity became increasingly State Championship in a few weeks. I would say that qualifies as a
more common. Many people would With 701.3 million hours of watch season worth celebrating.
disregard the disgusting reality of what time for Dahmer, it is known that this Heading into the year, Castner knew that the Comets had the talent
was actually taking place in the show craze is not dying down any time soon. to break barriers. He and his coaching staff placed nearly all of the
for the development of a fan base for People consuming this sort of media top athletes on the defensive side of the ball, crafting one of the top
a serial killer. Even Jeffery Dahmer need to take a step back and look at statistical defenses in the state of Ohio. It is almost certainly the best
costumes became popular during themselves. If you want to dive into the unit of Castner’s Mason tenure. He trusted his returning quarterback,
Halloween 2022. thrill of serial killers, watch a fictional Larson Brown, and his experienced coaching staff to execute an offense
series. The popular Netflix series You that would keep the Comets competitive against any opponent.
Unfortunately, this turned the public is a great example, as it follows serial This strategy proved successful, as Mason had a historic regular
focus on Dahmer. Not the victims. Our killer Joe Goldberg who tries to keep season. They finished as GMC runners-up with a record of 8-2 (8-1 in the
society is idolizing serial killers rather up a normal facade while hiding dark conference). Their only blemishes were a close 9-7 defeat in week one to
than focusing on acknowledging their secrets. Gahanna Lincoln, the best team in Columbus, and a loss to undefeated
victims. GMC champion Lakota West. The Comets beat Colerain 32-6, the first
True Crime consumers have options. win over the Cardinals in school history. They capped off their regular
Errol Linsley, nineteen years old. These are real lives, not just a standard season with two in-conference upset wins. (continued on page 23)
Oliver Lacey, 23 years old. James TV show. People need to learn how to
distinguish the two.

The Chronicle’s Policy Megan Lee
Savannah Libby
The Chronicle is the official student Call 398-5025 ext. 33103 for infor- The National Scholastic Press Asso- The Chronicle Staff Technical Editor Aimee Liu Advisor
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November 18, 2022 23

The Case for Castner Editorial Cartoon

(continued from page 22) Normalization v know that we still need to be sensitive about it.
First, they knocked off Fairfield 30-7, a week after the Indians destigmatization Students are constantly in high-pressure
narrowly lost to Lakota West in overtime. In week 10, they of mental health
traveled to Princeton and took down the Vikings, who most environments at MHS with academic prodigies
would consider a better team on paper, to clinch second place in Josie Lorenz | The Chronicle and high expectations around every corner.
the GMC. It is easy to be seen as weak or for others to
This end-of-season surge debunked the argument that the Our generation is living through possibly believe you are overreacting if you struggle
Comets only beat teams with losing records. They cannot control the worst mental health crisis the world has with mental health. I find myself only being
how the rest of the GMC performs. Besides, every other team in seen. We regularly hear the saying “normalize able to joke about my serious problems for
the conference faces the same schedule. mental health,” but are we sure we should be fear of judgment from my peers. It is difficult
The Comets entered the playoffs as the fifth seed in region normalizing it to the extent that we have been? because there is always someone who “has
four. It is always difficult to beat a team twice in football, and it worse” than me. Poor mental health is so
round one presented a rematch with the Cardinals. Mason held Mental health is defined as a person’s overly normalized that there seems to be an
them off in a 14-7 win. condition with regard to their psychological unspoken agreement to suffer in silence. We
Their next game against the fourth-seeded Springboro and emotional well-being, according to Oxford are called weak when we are not able to deal
Panthers proved to be Castner’s most extraordinary coaching Languages Dictionary. The phrase “normalize with personal issues like some others can.
performance of the season. After four consecutive victories, his mental health” is said to open the discussion
team had to return to their underdog mentality. of the prominent mental health issues around We need to make it known to the youth that
The Comet defense struggled early, and the Panthers entered us. This came about as a popular phrase when there is nothing wrong with genuinely seeking
halftime with a 12-7 lead. Castner rallied his team in the locker many were struggling with their mental well- help. If anything, the act of getting help
room, and the defense returned an interception for a touchdown being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we should be what’s normalized. When my peers
on the first play of the second half. Late in the fourth quarter, unfortunately still see the effects of this crisis make it known that they are “too cool” to get
the Comets trailed 14-26 and had just five minutes to score twice. today. help, I am put in a box, isolated from thinking
Both sides of the ball executed to perfection, and Mason pulled about reaching out, and in turn, putting others
off the remarkable comeback for a historic playoff win. Castner’s In the campaign to normalize mental in that same box.
team never quit on him, no matter the odds. health issues, teens have come to their own
Coaching is more than just Xs and Os or rousing halftime conclusion that, yes, every single teen has Instead, we should focus on the
speeches. The success of the 2022 Mason football team largely issues. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal stigmatization of mental health. The
rests on the culture Castner carefully cultivated. Many Mason thoughts are normalized to the point where normalization has already made the
athletic programs have reputations as among the best in the they are no longer taken seriously. I never go a turnaround process of getting rid of the stigma
state, including cross country, tennis, golf, swimming, girls’ day without hearing a casual suicide joke. so much more difficult, adding more stigma
basketball, and baseball. It is a testament to leadership that the for things like reaching out when struggling.
football team at the largest school in the state has embraced an Someone reading this will surely think, “It’s
underdog mentality. not that serious.” Getting help is nothing to be ashamed of.
Castner created a team identity, the defense, and built into the This is a mental health crisis – of course, there
confidence of his players all off-season. He preached a team-first That’s exactly where we go wrong. will be an excess of teens that have mental
mentality and got the players to buy in. Castner is also a massive When something such as mental health health issues. It is so easy for it to be normal
proponent of success off of the field. His primary focus as head is normalized to the extreme, we become when it is all around you. It is this mindset that
coach is to mold young men of character. He does this through completely desensitized until it is too late. If creates this stigma. The active normalization
community service and outreach with the team, emphasizing we were really focused on doing our best to of mental health is a direct contributor to the
academics, addressing player mental health, and developing solve the mental health crisis, then we would stigma that is so powerful for impressionable
mentorship programs with Mason youth teams. youth.
No coach in the area does more to honor their alumni’s legacy.
This year the Comets wore a 1962 emblem on their helmets I do think it is important for people to know
instead of a traditional logo. That culture, above anything done they are not alone, but we need to get our
on the gridiron this year, separated Mason Football Team 61 priorities straight.
from any team that came before them.
It is easy to say that the GMC Coach of the Year Award should
go to the coach of the best team, as it has every year since 2014.
But is that really the standard for the best coaching job? That is
not to discredit Tom Bolden, who has had an incredible coaching
career at Colerain and Lakota West. However, his teams are
projected to be the best based on their talent. There is more to
accolades than wins.
Maybe it is easier to give it to the coach of the team that
showed the most improvement from the year before. Oak Hills
went from winless in 2021 to a 5-6 record and a fifth-place finish
in the GMC this season. That is certainly impressive, but the win-
loss column is not the only way to measure the team that grew
the most or outperformed expectations.
Brian Castner and his players elevated the Mason football
program to new heights. They made their deepest playoff run
ever. They beat out teams with better athletes.
Football rewards teams that are greater than just the sum of
their parts, and the Mason Comets absolutely fit that description.
Much of that success has to be credited to Castner.

24 November 18, 2022